https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1127-Entering-the-Game-with-Personal-Involvement/13344350/
Chapter 1128: Tracing the Clues
Chapter 1128: Tracing the Clues
Having light did not solve all their problems. The swamp’s harsh environment still constrained everyone.
Muddy, wet earth was everywhere, the ground soft and squishy. Each step caused water and mud to ooze up, making both movement and searching difficult.
Chen Chuan found it easier to move alone, but he was using the investigation team’s credentials, so he couldn’t just leave them behind.
Besides, these people could help find crucial clues, such as the signals Skalerson might have left, which Chen Chuan couldn’t identify on his own.
So, he chose to walk at the front. Each step he took caused the wet mud beneath to rapidly evaporate, turning dry and hard. Wisps of steam floated up, illuminated by the light above, creating a misty scene. With the algae oil lamps in his hand, everyone felt as if they had entered a mystical world.
This way, all the team members could follow without hesitation, and they didn’t need to worry about anything. They were all amazed, having been on many missions with Skalerson and other team members, but never feeling so secure and convenient.
They followed the river in the swamp and some obvious signs of human passage, and fortunately, they found some stone piles left by Skalerson. Relying on these, they finally reached the location marked on the map after walking for over two hours.
The place was easy to recognize because of a silver-white dead tree, so it was called “White Tree Bank” on the map.
Everyone looked around, and like other areas they had passed through, the scene was filled with low shrubs and weeds, with dead tree trunks lying around, covered in thick moss.
Decaying remains of plants and animals floated on the water, emitting a damp, putrid smell. The annoying buzz of insects was constant, and although none could enter the range of the light, their countless dancing silhouettes in the reflected light made everyone’s skin crawl.
On one of the tree trunks, some local scavenging vultures were perched in groups, seemingly asleep. Even as the light shone on them, they were not overly disturbed, only a few shifting uncomfortably.
The team leader looked at the map and said, "Mr. Chen, the location marked on the map should be nearby. It’s hard to search together, so why don’t we split up?"
The spot Skalerson marked on the map was a small area, but here, it covered a vast range. The swamp was dense with vegetation, and things close by could be hard to see without careful observation.
Chen Chuan nodded. "Fine, split up and maintain signal contact."
The team leader assigned tasks, and everyone, except the telegraph team, carefully dispersed. They soon noticed that the light above followed them wherever they went, boosting their confidence.
After half an hour of searching, everyone was not in a rush anymore, methodically combing through each area.
At that moment, their radios suddenly crackled to life, and the telegraphist immediately began receiving the message.
The team leader was very concerned. This place was remote, and their only connection to the outside world was through the radio. For this mission, to ensure smooth communication, there was another telegraph team in the car parked outside.
When the message was decoded, the team leader read it, a look of excitement on his face. He handed it to Chen Chuan, saying, "Mr. Chen, this is from the team leader, oh, it’s for you!" He handed it over with both hands.
Chen Chuan took it, reflecting on the information.
The leader of the International Investigation Team, Cloefensmeitera, was the spiritual leader of the entire team. If one were to rank influence among fighters, this person would be in the world’s top three.
He was the second-generation leader of the investigation team. After the collapse of the Grand Alliance, the team’s ability to maintain its current scale and reputation was largely due to him. His influence made various countries willing to give the investigation team face.
However, it was said that he had been battling entities on the other side of the World Ring, rarely involving himself in team affairs. This event must have truly alarmed him.
The telegram was simple. It expressed deep gratitude for his support and contributions to the investigation team, promising to facilitate his work and asking the Daxun Visit Group to protect the remaining team members.
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said to the team leader, "Please reply to your leader. Maintaining international security is the duty of our Daxun Visit Group. We will provide you with the necessary assistance."
The team leader, invigorated by the leader’s message, said, "Alright, Mr. Chen, I’ll reply accordingly."
The telegraphist immediately sent the message. A few minutes later, the radio crackled again. He thought it was another message from headquarters, but after receiving it, a puzzled look appeared on his face.
The supervisor immediately asked, "What's wrong?"
The telegraphist quickly translated the content and then handed the telegram over, saying, "Leader, this telegram isn't for us. The format is from two or three decades ago, and almost no one uses this code anymore. From the signal... they claim to be from the Hai Bei Exploration Team and are requesting assistance from whoever receives this message."
"From the Hai Bei Exploration Team?" The supervisor couldn't help but show a look of surprise, snatching the telegram.
Chen Chuan asked, "Is there a problem with this exploration team?"
The supervisor chose his words carefully, saying, "Mr. Chen, if it's the Hai Bei Exploration Team I know...
It was one of the early private pioneering teams of the Federation, very famous. It was established by a well-known Federation tycoon and specifically tasked with exploring the Federation's frontier regions. However, they... disappeared thirty years ago.
At the time, it made the newspapers. I even bought their memorabilia when I was a kid, so it left a deep impression on me."
Chen Chuan hummed in response. A telegram from an exploration team that had been missing for decades certainly seemed odd, possibly related to the environment here or even the New Light Sect. However, they weren't looking for the exploration team, so it could be set aside for now.
After another half-hour of searching, the dispersed team members finally made a discovery and fired a signal flare into the night sky.
Upon seeing it, the various squads immediately rushed over. The gathered light illuminated the area brightly.
This was a naturally formed depression, a pit where the surrounding vegetation had been cleared and large areas showed signs of burning.
The investigation team was very familiar with sacrificial sites. After a brief examination, they quickly confirmed that this was a sacrificial site that had been used within the last ten days.
After inspecting with the others, the supervisor returned to Chen Chuan and said, "Mr. Chen, this is the work of the New Light Sect. Quite a few people must have been sacrificed. Judging by the size of this sacrificial pit, at least fifty. There are no tribes of the First People nearby, and there are almost no residents within a hundred kilometers. So they were likely transported here by airship."
He added confidently, "If we search, we will certainly find signs of people descending!"
The investigation team expanded their search around the area and indeed found traces of human activity. From the footprints and marks left behind, it was likely a mix of men and women, all in their prime, fitting the typical standards for New Light Sect sacrifices.
Chen Chuan pondered. Bringing people to this remote wilderness for a sacrifice was typical of a cult, but the New Light Sect never considered such things. So there must be a unique purpose here.
As he was thinking, he suddenly felt a faint mental force and took a few steps forward, gazing at the ground.
The team members, not knowing what he had discovered, watched him closely.
After a while, a few wisps of black ash began to rise from the soil, maintaining their original positions. As more black ash appeared, the vague shape of a bent object became visible.
Everyone was puzzled.
The supervisor asked, "Mr. Chen, what is this...?"
Chen Chuan replied, "An arm, the arm of a Fighter who was consumed by Soul Fire."
The team members were stunned.
Chen Chuan glanced at it. If his judgment was correct, the arm's owner had been fighting in mid-air and was suddenly struck by a powerful Soul Impact. They hadn't managed to dodge in time, so half of the arm was instantly destroyed.
However, the person immediately used mental force to protect the remaining part, which is why it hadn't completely dispersed. This was likely done to leave a trail for those who would come searching later.
At this moment, a light emanated from his body, and he slowly rose into the air, drawing the attention of the team.
Looking in a certain direction, he saw a crater a few kilometers away, filled with water. This was likely the result of a powerful Soul Impact, but in this environment, it would be hard to notice without a careful look.
The owner of the arm was most likely Skalerson, but it was too early to conclude.
Apart from this Soul Impact, there were no other signs of a struggle. So either Skalerson quickly left after evading, or the fight ended very quickly.
As he was thinking, the radio below crackled to life. The telegraphist immediately put on his headphones and began receiving the signal. After writing down the message, his face turned pale, and he quickly handed the telegram to the supervisor.
After reading it, the supervisor's expression changed, and he looked up, saying nervously, "Mr. Chen, the convoy has received a warning from Central City. They've spotted a world-famous criminal and dangerous Federation figure, Derek Waltschi, in the vicinity. They are urging us to evacuate as soon as possible."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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